AN-32 Aircraft Latest News
An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed and caught fire at the Air Force Station in Assam’s Jorhat recently, killing five personnel.
About AN-32 Aircraft
- The AN-32 (Antonov AN-32) is a Soviet-origin twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.
- Its NATO reporting name is Cline.
- It is designed and manufactured by the Antonov Design Bureau of Ukraine, then part of the USSR.
- It was purchased by India from the USSR in 1984. The planes were specially customised to suit the IAF’s requirements.
- The IAF has a fleet of around 100 AN-32 planes.
- It is designed to excel in extreme environments, functioning perfectly in high-altitude airfields (up to 4500 m above sea level) and hot tropical climates.
AN-32 Aircraft Features
- It is powered by two single-shaft turboprop engines.
- It can carry a maximum weight of 27 tons at a maximum speed of 530 km/h.
- It can transport up to 7.5 tons of cargo, 50 passengers, or 42 paratroopers, and it is extensively used for supply drops in remote regions.
- The range and service ceiling of the aircraft are 2,500 km and 9,500 m, respectively.
- It can take off and land on rough airfields and dirt runways.
- It also has a limited bombing role and is used for para-trooping operations.
News: NDTV
Last updated on Sep, 2026
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